North Central Region DOT road construction update for week of Oct. 21

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation provides a weekly update on road construction in its North Central Region, which includes Wood, Portage, Adams and Marathon counties.

Construction-related effects to traffic are subject to change and are dependent on favorable weather conditions and construction status, according to the update.

Transportation officials remind motorists to drive with caution in work zones and to be prepared to encounter slow-moving trucks, according to the update. Motorists should slow down, use caution and stay alert when driving through construction zones. To avoid delays, drivers should consider taking an alternative route and avoid peak travel periods.

For more information about effects on traffic, follow @511WI_NoCentral on Twitter or visit www.511wi.gov. Here is the latest update from Oct. 17:

? Following the reopening of WIS 153, crews will begin the reconstruction of the WIS 49/153 intersection. This work is currently scheduled to begin Friday, October 18. During this stage, WIS 49 will be closed to through traffic and detoured via WIS 161, WIS 110, US 45, and WIS 29

? WIS 153 is closed and detoured via I-39, WIS 29, and WIS 49. WIS 153 will remain open to local traffic and emergency services only. Pedestrian access will be maintained on the north side of WIS 153.

Highway: US 51(*updated*)

Location: Marathon County U and K/Business 51 interchange, Wausau

Schedule: April 1, 2013 to late November 2014

Cost: $28 million

Description: Crews will reconstruct the interchange.

Traffic impacts:

? The on-ramp from County K to northbound US 51 and the off-ramp from southbound US 51 to County K will be closed from 5 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 19.

? The temporary southbound US 51 on-ramp from County K is open. The southbound US 51 on-ramp from County U will remain closed through late October.

? Motorists on eastbound and westbound County U can expect to encounter single lane closures through the end of October. The highway will be open to two lanes in each direction during weekends and holidays.

? Motorists on northbound and southbound US 51 can expect to encounter single lane closures. The freeway will be open to two lanes in each direction during peak traffic hours, holidays and on weekends.

? The speed limit is reduced to 55 MPH in the work zone. Motorists are reminded to drive with caution

? The temporary northbound US 51 off-ramp to County K is closed. Traffic exiting to County K/Business 51 will be detoured on the northbound US 51 off-ramp to County U, and Merrill Avenue/County U.

Highway: I-39/US 51 southbound (*updated*)

Location: Between Business 51 and Foxglove Road

Schedule: September 10, 2012 to May 2014

Cost: $12.2 million

Description: Crews will reconstruct the southbound I-39/US 51 lanes just south of the Business 51 interchange to north of Foxglove Road. The I-39/US 51 structure over Business 51 will be replaced and widened. The structure over the Wisconsin River will be re-decked and widened. A recently detected subgrade void, located in the new southbound lanes of I-39 between Business 51 and the Wisconsin River, resulted in an isolated pavement collapse. The newly reconstructed southbound lanes have not been opened to traffic and the situation poses no safety risk to the traveling public. Crews strengthened the subgrade at this location by filling it with concrete material. DOT testing confirmed that the soil reinforcement was successful. Crews are placing the final layer of pavement over the southbound lanes on October 17. The new southbound lanes are expected to reopen in early November, as scheduled.

Traffic impacts: The speed limit in the work zone is reduced to 55 MPH. Business 51 is open to one lane in each direction. Crews are planning to close the I-39 southbound off-ramp to Business 51 (Exit 185) from 8 p.m. Thursday, October 17 until 5 a.m. Friday, October 18. The closure is necessary for crews to complete asphalt paving.

***

Highway: WIS 29

Location: Between WIS 107 and County O

Schedule: August 13, 2012 to mid-November 2013

Cost: $23.5 million

Description: Improvements include: installation of a storm sewer system to collect rainwater and snowmelt; conversion of the two-way, center turn lane into a safety barrier median; removal of all existing at grade intersections besides 144th Avenue which will have right-in and right-out access provided by westbound WIS 29; Maratech Drive will be extended to 144th Avenue; and County O will be realigned to WIS 29 and a new WIS 29/County O interchange will be constructed.

Traffic impacts:

? County O (from WIS 29 to Highland Avenue) is closed. The closure is necessary to continue construction of the new WIS 29/County O interchange and the new alignment of County O, north of WIS 29.

? All side road access to WIS 29 (between WIS 107 and County O), except at 144th Avenue, have been permanently closed. 144th Avenue will remain open to right-in/right-out traffic along westbound WIS 29.

? WIS 29 is reduced to one lane in each direction.

? Motorists are reminded to drive with caution in the work zone and should be prepared to encounter slow moving vehicles.

Traffic impacts: WIS 80 is closed to through traffic between County EE and US 10. The closure is necessary for crews to replace the existing structures and approached over the two Beaver Creek bridges. Traffic is detoured via County A to US 10 until late November.